Lynne Cherry has devoted her life to sharing her concern about environmental issues with others. She lives in Washington, D.C
"Exceptionally colorful, bright and full of life. Effectively makes specific the larger story of endangered rain forests by taking the problem one creature at a time." -- People"Spectacular." -- School Library Journal"This modern fable with its urgent message contains an abundance of information." -- The Horn Book
K-Gr 3-- Exhausted from heat and exertion, a lone man rests at the base of a Kapok tree that he is intent on felling. As he dozes, the animal residents of the enormous tree come to him, explain the tree's vital importance to their existence, and gently implore him to reconsider his labors. Lastly, a child of the Yanomamo tribe begs him to ``please look upon us all with new eyes.'' He awakens to the menagerie assembled and seems to see them for the first time. The man departs, leaving his ax behind. This thinly veiled nature and conservation lesson succeeds in giving a simplified picture of the rain forest--from its canopy to its dense understory--and the interdependence of all the plant and animal life that exists within this fragile, shrinking ecosystem. Cherry's rich colored-pencil and watercolor drawings fairly buzz with life. She totally engages readers' attention and senses through vivid detail, dramatic perspective, and lifelike accuracy. The flora and fauna of the lush, steamy Brazilian rain forest seem to grow before readers' eyes, surrounding the text and the peaceful young man as he sleeps. Although the talking animals somewhat diminish the power of the message and undermine its seriousness, The Great Kapok Tree gives young readers a glimpse of and a feeling for an environment vastly different from their own. Spectacular endpapers include a map of the world's tropical rain forests and the amazing array of Amazon wildlife.-- Luann Toth , School Library Journal
"Exceptionally colorful, bright and full of life. Effectively makes specific the larger story of endangered rain forests by taking the problem one creature at a time." -- People"Spectacular." -- School Library Journal"This modern fable with its urgent message contains an abundance of information." -- The Horn Book
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